There were more than a few heated words at regularly scheduled Burlington High School board meeting on Tuesday night. Vocal students and parents showed up to testify about perceived racism at the school and to call for action.

Dozens assembled in the school cafeteria to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting -- which alone, last 2 hours.

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The board listened quietly as students, parents and community members shared their experiences and frustration with racism at the school.

Many of Burlington's immigrant students have said they feel singled out and discriminated against. They held an April demonstration in front of the school and later shared their concerns with lawmakers.

On Tuesday, speakers accused the board of moving too slowly and failing to take racism seriously.

"I don't see the big steps they are taking right now. I mean, we've been talking about it for days, weeks, even months now and no progress has shown up," said Fama Abukar, a sophomore at Burlington High School.

The school board said they're actively working on the issue and continuing to provide direction to the school's superintendent.

"We've agreed to create a strategic plan for equity and inclusion by the end of October and that project is under way," said Paul Hochanadel, a school board member representing Ward 5.

This isn't the first time the school board has from people concerned about racism and inequality in their school system said a board member, but Tuesday was definitely the largest group of people they've seen talk about it.

The district's superintendent, Jeanne Collins declined to comment on camera Tuesday, but in a document given to News Channel 5, cites examples of initiatives taken since 2005 concerning diversity and equity. Among them: anti-bullying training for full faculty and staff, revised harrassment policy and the creation of a Board Level committee and Task Force on Diversity and Equity.